Stage one of Canberra's light rail network will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, according to Capital Metro Minister Simon Corbell.
Corbell said the multi-million-dollar transport project, linking Civic to Gungahlin in Canberra's north, provided a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the territory.
"Capital Metro is about creating a more sustainable Canberra and we are making sure that environment and sustainability is at the heart of our approach for an integrated public transport network," he said, abc.net reported. Corbell said the successful bidder for the project would have to source 10 per cent of the light rail's electricity usage from renewable energy sources.
"Combined with the ACT Government achieving its target of 90 per cent renewable energy by 2020 - the time in which stage one light rail will be up and running - this will enable the Capital Metro project to be 100 per cent green energy powered," he said.
"Light rail has the potential to greatly improve our city's livability and sustainability by getting people out of their cars and onto public transport; this will not only reduce our greenhouse gas emissions but also congestion and travel times." Corbell said.
